epsiode 26

The two date curse / the love potion

I am accursed. I have no idea how it happened but a couple of weeks ago it dawned on me that rarely do I get past two dates, and when I have made the third date only once did I not live to regret it. So, finally I have identified the problem. I have a two date curse and I'm not sure who put it on me, and I'm sure that many people will say I put it on myself.
Now I've been writing my column for a while I do get accused of sabotaging myself, or hiding behind it, which means I will never have a normal healthy relationship, apparently. Although evidence seems to support this, I honestly believe subconsciously that was true in the beginning, but not now.
Here's the evidence. I did see Hairgel more than three times, before that fizzled out, but he is the exception. I also went on a third date with Travelodge, but I ended up fleeing to the safety of a black cab. And in one instance I actually had two enjoyable dates before never hearing from the guy again. So, I can't give you a pattern but what I can give you is the fact that indisputably I have a two date curse.
Let's go back to recently. I met the guy at a party, he sent me a text afterwards, we went on a date, and then another and there was I thinking that he would be in touch because, let's face it he had done all the running but no. And then, to make things worse I did end up sending him a text when I was drunk, just asking how he was but probably spelt wrong (couldn't bear to look in the morning), and he replied saying he was fine but busy. So, there, Miss Bleasdale, not interested and I couldn't spare any time trying to figure out why because, well frankly, I had much better things to do. Like, try to wean myself off drunk dialing for one, (if anyone out there has any tips, please let me know and don't say give your phone to your friends because my friends are too busy drunk dialing themselves to stop me). I wonder if there is a drunk-dialers anonymous, and if not can I please found the group? Anyway, so another one bit the dust and for a while I thought it was my fault, because I refused to see text pest again, and the dolphin trainer and I didn't click, and then well, a whole host of encounters followed but didn't lead to any third dates. So, is this karma? I hope not because otherwise I am never going to have a good third date.
Anyway, before my epiphany, and the fear that I am going to only have two consecutive dates for the rest of my life and there's quite a way to go so that means loads and loads of men have to be found, which on the one hand sounds quite appealing and on the other, downright terrifying, I met someone. We went on a date to a very nice pub and got on well. I know I am not being very exciting here but you know when a date goes well, it's not as funny as when it goes wrong and I can't bleet on about how funny/interesting/intelligent, he was without sounding like I am boasting. So, anyway, it was another normal date, and now although I have a two date curse I am once again a believer in normal dates which is progress of sorts. So where was I? Oh yes, cute guy, amusing, we didn't have any awkward silences and time passed really quickly. At the end of the evening, after a little kiss I went home.
He asked me out for lunch the following weekend. We had an incredibly long, boozy lunch, and it stretched into a boozy evening. Again, we managed to chat the whole time and he wasn't just interested in talking about himself, he wasn't conceited and he didn't turn into an octopus after a few drinks, although I have to admit he did turn into George Clooney after I had a few drinks. But, basically as we said goodbye, I decided I wanted to see him again.
Here's when my curse kicks in. He told me he was working intensely for the next couple of weeks, and I thought that meant he wasn't interested. The two date curse was definitely upon me.
A couple of weeks ago, I was in London, and my friend and I were discussing my curse. We wondered if it was the horrible ex who had put it on me, and wondering where in NW3 one finds a witch or a curse expert to help me. We were taking it very, very seriously. My friend owns a beautiful vintage shop in Primrose Hill, Judith Michael & Daughter. As we were seeking answers, she gave me a gift. It was a love potion wish necklace, with an adorable skull charm. And the idea was that she would put it on me and I would make a wish, and the charm was on string, so when the wish came true the string would break. It was genius and too cute for words. So I wished to break my three date curse.
I promise you that I'm not making this up. I wore my necklace constantly and became very attached to the skull. I was back in Brighton, and I got a really bad cold. It wasn't possible to feel sorrier for myself. One morning I struggled out of bed, because I needed some cold drugs and as ran my hand through my hair the necklace string broke. I picked the skull up and immediately put it on my silver chain, and I phoned my friend.
'It means your wish is ready to come true,' she said. I was a tiny, tiny bit happier. But then I took so much cold and flu stuff I went back to sleep. When I started to feel better and got out of bed, I turned my laptop on. When I checked my emails, lo and behold there was a message from the guy. I opened it with slight trepidation and read it. Then I had to read it again. He asked if I wanted to go out with him. I blinked and wondered if the medicine was causing me to hallucinate. I called my friend who was more excited that the necklace worked than she was about the date, and I was too. I kissed my skull. I replied and after a few more exchanges, we had a third date set up.
When I fully recovered, I was actually really pleased. Yes, I did quite like this guy, and yes, I loved my skull necklace, but most of all I loved that because of my wish the two date curse was broken. The date is this week, and of course my main concern now is that it isn't a disaster, because only then can we be sure that the two date curse is well and truly behind me. But I am feeling wonderfully optimistic.

http://www.judithmichael.com